Knut Hamsun

The print Knut Hamsun by Norwegian 19th Century artist Edvard Munch, created in 1896, captures the esteemed contemporary author, Knut Hamsun, in a moment of introspection. Classified as a print, the work was executed using the demanding photogravure technique. This piece fits firmly within the output of the 1876 to 1900 period, representing a significant artifact of Norwegian cultural life at the fin de siècle.

Munch, internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to Expressionism, extensively experimented with various forms of printmaking throughout his career. While his most famous works often depict deeply psychological or intensely emotional scenes, this portrait showcases the artist’s skill in direct observation and formal portraiture. The technique of photogravure, an early photochemical process, allowed for extremely high-fidelity detail and delicate tonal transitions, providing the resulting image with a rich, velvety depth characteristic of high-quality photographic reproductions of the late 19th century. This precise handling contrasts with the more stylized or emotionally abstracted forms Munch explored in his concurrent woodcuts and lithographs.

As an essential example of Norwegian artistic production and portraiture from the period, the piece offers valuable insight into Munch’s versatile practice beyond painting. The work documents the intersection between literary and visual culture in Norway during the late nineteenth century, capturing a fellow influential figure of the age. This print is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, underscoring its historical importance to modern art history. Today, images of key prints like this often enter the public domain, making high-quality reproductions available for scholarly research and appreciation worldwide.